Welcome to Forever (30 page)

To Sonny. Our love story will always be my favorite.

Publishing my first book was a journey I started many moons ago. There have been times when this dream of mine seemed impossible, and it would've been without the help of so many wonderful people who offered their support, time, advice, and encouragement. My heart is full of gratitude for so many.

My first thanks goes to my family, who have supported me through the years. Thank you, Sonny, for believing in me, encouraging me, and listening to me ramble about the fictional characters in my head. Thanks to my two sweet boys and little girl who know that Mommy needs “writing time,” and who are willing to play nice and give it to me most days. Thanks to my parents, who encouraged me to dream big, and to my mother-in-law, Annette, who is always willing to help, whether it be watching the kids or doing research for one of my books.

I would like to thank my wonderful agent, Sarah Younger at Nancy Yost Literary Agency. Finding you was another dream come true. Thank you for giving me a literary home and welcoming me into Team Sarah. This book would not have been possible without you!

Thank you to Junessa Viloria, my editor at Loveswept/Random House Publishing Group. You helped me polish this manuscript into something I am truly proud to call mine. Working with you on this book has been nothing short of amazing. I also want to thank Gina Wachtel for reading my manuscript while my future editor was on maternity leave and for giving me that first yes. Many thanks to everyone at Loveswept/Random House Publishing Group who had a part in making this book happen, especially Erica Seyfried, Ashleigh Heaton, Lynn Andreozzi, Madeline Hopkins, and Penny Haynes.

A very special thank-you goes out to Lady Lioness. As a Pitch Wars mentor, you pulled me out of the slush pile and advanced me light-years in this writing journey. Your mentorship has meant so much to me. Thanks to the ladies of “The Pride,” Marie Meyer and Sarah Blair, for all your kind words and support. I look forward to watching all of your successes in publishing.

A huge thanks goes to my critique partner, Rachel Lacey. Your input and friendship are invaluable to me. Thank you for your critique of this book, all your advice on the process, and for our many daily emails, which always make me smile. Thanks to my #girlsnightwrite crew: Rachel Lacey, Sidney Halston, Tif Johnson, and April Hunt. You motivate and inspire me every day. Love you, ladies!

To all my friends, near and far, old and new, writers and readers, thank you!

And most important, I am ever thankful to God for giving me this passion and for putting all of these amazing people in my life to help me succeed.

Welcome to Forever

PHOTO: © SARAH SAVAGE PHOTOGRAPHY

A
NNIE
R
AINS
is a contemporary romance author who writes small-town love stories set in fictional towns on the coast of North Carolina. Raised in one of America's largest military communities, Annie often features heroes who fight for their country while also fighting for a place to call home and a good woman to love. When Annie isn't writing, she's spending time with her husband and three children, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors.

annierains.com

Happy Holidays from our hearth to yours! This month we're sending you some hot Loveswept romances to keep the fire burning:

USA Today
bestselling author Bronwen Evans's new Disgraced Lords novel is about a marriage of convenience and its delightful pleasures—and mortal danger in
A Whisper of Desire.
K. J. Charles turns up the heat in her new Society of Gentlemen novel,
A Seditious Affair,
as two lovers face off in a sensual duel that challenges their deepest beliefs
.
Samantha Kane's Birmingham Rebels series proves that three's never a crowd…at least not for the hard-bodied football all-stars who give teamwork a sexy twist in
Calling the Play
.
Welcome to Forever,
new from author Annie Rains, introduces a small coastal town where America's best and brightest risk everything for love. Jackie Ashenden ups the ante in the seductive Deacons of Bourbon Street series, co-written with Megan Crane, Rachael Johns, and Maisey Yates, with
Hold Me Down,
a story about what happens when the biker who broke Alice's heart rides into town, and she must choose between passion and duty. Another story for MC fans is Violetta Rand's irresistible novel about a sexy-as-sin biker who tempts a good girl to go bad,
Persuasion.

In
USA Today
bestselling author Tina Wainscott's gritty, emotional small-town romance
Falling Hard,
passions run high as a reformed bad boy reconnects with an old enemy…and gets her engine revving. In Laura Marie Altom's tale of forbidden love,
Stepping Over the Line,
meet two tortured souls with an unbreakable bond. Then comes a tender military romance from Serena Bell,
USA Today
bestselling author of
Hold On Tight,
in which a war-shattered veteran gets a second chance at love with the one that got away in
Can't Hold Back
.

Writing duo MJ Fields and Chelsea Camaron release another sizzling-hot Caldwell Brothers story—
Morrison,
which hits the Vegas strip as a bad-boy gambler from Detroit Rock City shows a single mom what it means to play for keeps. Then it's off to Los Angeles, where Hollywood's hottest young actor hits the road to chase his big break—and discovers a leading lady where he least expects to in Cassie Mae's
No Interest in Love.

I can't believe 2016 is upon us, can you? Thank you for spending your reading time with Loveswept, and we hope to entertain you all over again in the new year.

Happy Romance!

Gina Wachtel

Associate Publisher

Available from Loveswept

Rain pelted the old Honda Civic's windows as Julie Chandler sucked in a breath and held it. Whoever said you can't go home again was wrong. Unless they meant you couldn't go home and expect to find a job. Since returning to the small town of Seaside, North Carolina, she'd applied for nearly every exercise-related job posted, and no one had so much as called her back.

Releasing the breath, she glanced at the folder sitting on the passenger seat beside her. It was a long shot, but she'd poured her soul into writing this proposal. If there wasn't a job for her here, she'd simply have to make one. At least that's what she'd decided after several glasses of cheap red muscatel last night, right around the time she should've been going to bed.

She parked in front of the Veterans' Center and checked her reflection in the rearview mirror. She'd covered up her dark circles and splashed some color on her face before driving over. She flashed the mirror what she hoped was a confident smile. The feeling of confidence evaded her these days, however, thanks to a relationship that had gone on far too long.

Every muscle in her body tightened at the thought of her ex.
Damn it.
She took another breath, forced another smile.

Confidence. You've got this.

Grabbing her umbrella and the file folder, she stepped out just as a truck came splashing into the spot next to hers. She shrieked as muddy water rode up her pants leg. Then she dropped her unopened umbrella on the ground, and—
Oh, crap!
—her proposal fell into the shallow puddle at her feet.

“Noooo!”
she cried, bending down to pick it up. The golden folder was a shade darker on one corner, evidence that the water had soaked through. She yanked it up and held it against her body, no doubt muddying her crisp white shirt now, too. Then she hurried to the sheltered awning, shaking her head like a wet dog, which was exactly how she felt, thanks to the idiot in the truck.

“Are you all right?” a deep voice drawled behind her.

She ignored it because she knew that if she didn't, her cool demeanor might unravel. She was low on sleep and high on caffeine—never a good combination. Instead, she continued toward the Veterans' Center's entrance. The director had told her that she only had fifteen minutes to spare for the meeting, and Julie didn't want to waste any time. She hurried down the hall, turned right, and hesitated outside Allison Carmichael's office door. Maybe she could use one of those minutes to take a quick trip to the bathroom to freshen up and settle her nerves.

Too late.

The door opened and Allison stood before her, dry as a martini. Her red-toned hair was perfectly straight and cascading over her shoulders instead of hanging in rain-soaked chunks. “Julie!” Concern distorted her beautiful features. “What happened to you?”

Julie shook her head. Allison had been one grade ahead of her in high school. Their paths had often crossed, but never converged. And perhaps that would have been best today, also. “I, uh…I…” She held up the damp folder. “It's raining outside.”

Allison nodded. “I can see that.” She laughed a little. “So, what did you want to see me about?”

Julie swallowed. “I know your website says you aren't hiring, but I have a proposal.”

Allison's gaze dropped to the golden folder in Julie's hand. “Okay. Well, I was just going to make myself a cup of hot tea in the community kitchen. Looks like you could use one, too. We'll talk there.”

“Sounds perfect,” Julie said, following her. As she did, she focused on her breathing. Yes, she needed a job, but she also really believed that Seaside's active and retired military members needed the service she hoped to offer them. While growing up in a military family, she'd seen how her father had seemed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. She wanted to ease that burden for the military if she could—at least a little.

“Go ahead and sit down. I'll just get the kettle going,” Allison said, pointing to a small wooden table off to the side in the kitchen.

Julie sat and took several deep breaths, praying that her nerves would settle.

A few minutes later, Allison set two steaming mugs in front of them. “I don't want to rush you, but I only have a few minutes before my next meeting.” She pointed at the folder now in front of Julie. “What do you have here?”

“It's a proposal. I'm sorry, but it got wet as I was coming in,” Julie explained. “I can bring you a fresh copy later.”

“That'd be great. Looks like you dropped this one in a puddle.”

“Just for a few seconds. Five-second rule.” Julie laughed nervously. Wow. Interviews really did trip her up.

“It's okay. Why don't you just tell me what you're proposing?” Allison smiled warmly at her and pushed the folder to the side. She reached for her cup, leaned back in her seat, and crossed her long, perfect legs.

“Sure.” Julie wrapped her hands around her mug, soaking in the warmth and praying she'd come up with something smart to say—or at least something halfway intelligible. “I want to do yoga with the Marines.”

Allison's smile dropped a polite notch.

Julie sucked in a breath and continued. “Yoga is being used for stress-reduction programs all over the country. There have even been programs for Marines with post-traumatic stress disorder. Lots of programs, actually.” Excitement surged inside her as she explained what she'd come up with last night. “It's amazing what this exercise is capable of doing. It lowers the heart rate, focuses your mind, and strengthens the core muscles.”

Allison nodded, appearing to listen as Julie rambled on about the benefits of yoga and how the exercise had been a lifesaver for her during college, when her testing anxiety had gotten out of control.

“So you went to school for yoga?” Allison asked.

“No. I majored in business with a minor in exercise science. But I'm a certified yoga instructor. I think offering a program like this here at the Veterans' Center would be a wonderful way to support our military men and women returning home from deployment. I've heard that mental health is an underserved need here.” Julie scooted back in her chair and stood. “A few basic poses are all you really need to get started.”

She was talking quickly now, brimming with a mixture of excitement and nerves. She'd always been horrible at interviews, but this one wasn't going so badly. Allison appeared to be listening, even interested. “I'll show you.” Folding her body forward, Julie placed her hands against the white tile floor at her feet. “This is Downward Dog,” she said, looking at the room from upside down. “It's one of the most basic positions. You'd be surprised how much focus it takes to stay inverted like this.” The blood was rushing to her head as she spoke.

Then two combat boots came into view between her legs. Her eyes widened, her focus shattered. It felt like all her blood drained from her body.

“I don't know about you, but I'm pretty focused,” a man said in a smooth southern drawl. As he stood behind her, she knew he had a perfect view of her…

“Oh!” Julie's balance shifted. She wobbled as one foot started to slide out from under her. Trying to gracefully stand was useless at this point. It was either go to her knees or fall on her butt—neither of which spoke to her skill as a yoga instructor.

As she started to fall, the man's hands on her waist steadied her, fraying her composure completely. Then he gently pulled her upright, holding her tightly against his body for a solid moment that felt like forever before he let go.

“Sorry 'bout that. I guess I startled you,” he said as she turned to face him, only to find herself a little too close to him for comfort.

She swiped at the blond hair in her face and blinked through the burning that was firing her cheeks. There was also an unwelcome buzz humming in her belly—the kind that came with a man's touch. Her lips parted as she took in his cowboy hat and pale-as-water eyes. “I know you,” she said. “You're Lawson Phillips.” She'd met him the year before, when her sister had started dating his best friend.

Lawson smiled, slow and easy. “Nice to see you again, Julie. You dropped your umbrella outside.” He held it out to her.

She looked at it, then back up at him. “You're the driver of that truck.”

Lawson tried to contain his grin as he shook Julie's hand—and to keep himself from looking down again at her very nice curves. When he'd arrived at the Veterans' Center to fix a few squeaky cabinets for the director, he'd expected to see a bunch of retired Marines. He hadn't expected to run into Julie Chandler.

“Do you two know each other?” Allison Carmichael asked from her seat at the table in front of him.

“You could say that. Her sister married my best friend last year. Which kind of makes us friends-in-law, or something like that.”
Smooth, Lawson.

Julie didn't smile. He remembered that about her—before his last deployment, he'd tried like hell to flirt with her, but she'd been untouchable. She'd barely given him the time of day, or even looked him in the eye. Similarly, she tore her gaze from his now and returned her focus to the center's director. “Um. Well…” She hurried back to the table and collected a folder. “I know you said you were in a hurry. I can get you a dry copy and let you review it in your free time, if you're interested.”

Allison nodded. “That would be great, Julie. We won't be offering new programs until after the New Year. You never know when things will change, though. Military life is synonymous with change, right?”

“Indeed,” Julie said.

“And I'm always interested in new ways to meet our service members' needs.”

Julie smiled, but Lawson could see it was forced. The truth shone in her green eyes: defeat. “Thanks for your time, Allison.” She shook Allison's hand, threw him a sideward glare, and headed out of the kitchen.

“The cabinets are fixed,” he told Allison.

“You're the best.” The slender redhead pointed her index finger at him. They'd had drinks a time or two before, but both had realized early on that their easy banter warranted friendship only. And considering Lawson's state of mind since returning home from the desert, friends were all he needed these days.

“Well, if that's all, I have somewhere I need to be.” Like work. But that wasn't where he would be running to right now. Despite the little voice inside his head telling him to leave it alone—leave
her
alone—he was going to check on Julie.

“Sure. Thanks again, Lawson. Volunteers make this place possible.”

Nodding, he waved and hurried down the hall toward the front entrance. With any luck she'd still be there and he could apologize.

As he stepped out into the rain, which had fizzled to a light sprinkle, it looked like luck was on his side today.

But it was definitely not on Julie's.

Her engine whinnied like a sick mare, then fell flat. He watched her from the covered walkway in front of the building for a few minutes as she attempted to start her car again, and again. After several tries, she slammed a hand against her steering wheel. Then she folded over and rested her head on it.

Stepping out into the light rain, Lawson walked to her car window and tapped. She jumped nearly out of those wet clothes she was wearing—which he had to admit would have been a sight for his sore eyes—and stared at him. This was the second time this morning that he'd startled her. Third, if he counted splashing in beside her when he'd parked.

“Move over,” he ordered.

Her chin lifted stubbornly. Then she folded her arms on her chest, making her cleavage pop through the still-damp shirt she was wearing.

Eyes in your head, Lawson,
his conscience chided.

Thunder crackled and then the light sprinkle turned into a sudden downpour. “Please, move over,” he said, unsure whether she could hear him over the white noise of the rain splattering the pavement all around him.
If I had any sense, I'd just get in my truck and leave her here,
he thought. That was obviously what she wanted. She could call for help from inside if she needed it. Instead, true to his roots, he stayed put.

Finally, she crawled into the passenger seat and he whipped the door open, stuffing himself behind the steering wheel of the little car. This was one of the reasons he drove a big truck. He needed legroom, arm room, room to keep his cowboy hat on if he wanted to. Pulling off his hat so he could straighten up, he turned the key several times before pulling it out of the ignition. “Looks like you're riding with me.”

“I…Well, I…That's really not necessary.”

“You want me to leave you here sitting in the rain?” he asked. “A ride is the least I can do for interrupting your meeting like that. I'm really sorry.”

Julie folded her arms on her chest again. It wasn't her cleavage that caught his attention this time, though; it was the look sparking in her eyes. Something about him was rubbing this woman all wrong. “And splashing in the parking lot like a bat out of hell,” she added.

“I was driving the speed limit. You opened your car door as I was turning in. How was I supposed to know that would happen?”

If looks could kick a guy in the nuts, he'd be bent over in agony right about now.

“She just needs a little time. A few more cranks and I'm sure she'll start.”

Lawson stared at her. “ ‘She'?” he asked, a small laugh escaping.

“My car.”

He ran his hand over his jaw, willing himself not to laugh. Julie was obviously in no mood for his humor. “All right. I'll make you a deal. I'll crank
her
one more time. If she starts, then I'll leave you alone. If she doesn't, then I'm giving you a ride. I can come back and look under the hood later, after the storm passes.”

Those crossed arms hugged her body even tighter, and he had to force himself not to look down. “Fine,” she finally said. Her gaze dropped to the keys in his hand.